Justin Maxwell of the Houston Astros makes a diving catch on a line drive by Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers in the third inning Sunday night.

Written by

Paul White
| USA TODAY Sports

Bo Porter was in Houston last season when the Astros hit perhaps the lowest point in a season that was the worst in franchise history.

The worst until this year - or at least that's a pervading sentiment around baseball that's one of the first obstacles facing the American League's newest member.

Little did Porter know that night last August - when he was third base coach for a Washington Nationals team that sent Houston to its 34th loss in 38 games - he'd have the challenge of keeping this team from another 107-loss (or even the 106 of 2011) season. ...